Abstract: A device for the application of solid particulate material to a target surface includes one or more containers for storing the solid particulate material and one or more transfer devices for transferring the solid particulate material from the containers to the target surface. Each container includes one or more gates positioned substantially at the container's outlet. Mechanisms are provided for controlling the extent to which each individual gate opens, while the device is in use; and for controlling the rate at which the transfer devices transfer the solid particulate material from the containers while the device for the application of solid particulate material to a target surface is in use.